Definitions

happen

[hap-uhn] / ˈhæp ən /

VERB

come to pass; occur

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear arise arrive crop up develop fall go on hit materialize meet pass result take effect take place transpire

STRONG

befall betide bump chance down ensue eventuate follow issue light proceed recur shake smoke spring stumble supervene

WEAK

be found become a fact become known become of come about come after come into being come into existence come off luck present itself stumble upon turn out turn up what goes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease disappear fail halt lose stop

STRONG

precede

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s not just what happens now, it’s what’s going to happen in the future. It’s going to take a long time for people to recover.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

"Scary part is this could happen to anyone!" he wrote.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

But Sockin believes that trimming the balance sheet won’t happen at least until next year.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

Their approach is: “If AI wants to do my grunt work, have at it. If AI wants to do our expert tasks, that will only happen over my dead body.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

There was no telling what might happen if he took the Nanuak into the cave.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words